National Brain Councils

National Brain Councils & National Action Groups

Over 20 countries have formed, or are in the process of forming, National Brain Councils (NBCs) and National Action Groups (NAGs). These independent and multidisciplinary councils unite scientific organisations of neuroscientists, psychiatrists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, patients’ associations, as well as the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, in order to speak in one strong voice on behalf of the whole of the “brain space”.

The EBC realizes that the best results are created in close alignment with NBCs & NAGs in a bottom-up and top-down approach, thereby ensuring optimal key stakeholder management on both national and EU level. It is especially true at the country level, given that the organisation, management and funding of health services, fall within the exclusive competence of the national governments.

Therefore, although independent, NBCs and NAGs are aligned with the main goals of EBC. These include promoting brain health, raising awareness of brain disorders, addressing stigmatisation, stimulating brain related research, fostering exchange between different disciplines and associations, promoting prevention and lobbying governments for enhanced research and treatments, in order to improve the quality of life of people affected by brain disorders.